Man accused in Nebraska bowling alley slayings is silent when asked for plea

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A man accused of killing two people at a rural Nebraska bowling alley didn’t say anything Tuesday when a judge asked for his plea.

When a defendant stands mute, a not guilty plea is entered on his behalf.

So 26-year-old Alias Reed effectively pleaded not guilty in Knox County District Court to two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony.

SEE ALSO: Woman pleads not guilty to evidence tampering in slayings at Nebraska bowling alley

Last February, two men were shot dead at a bowling alley in Bloomfield, a city of about 1,000 people near the South Dakota border.

Court documents allege that Reed shot Curtis Strom, 77, and Willliam Reffett, 49, in the head during a robbery.

The Nebraska State Patrol said his girlfriend, 28-year-old Kaylynn Sweazy, then helped him get rid of the gun.

SEE ALSO: Suspect in Nebraska bowling alley slayings deemed not mentally competent for trial

Reed’s case has been slowed by psychiatric evaluations, but in September, a judge ruled that he was mentally competent to stand trial.

Then in November, Reed’s attorney filed a motion to quash that challenged the constitutionality of Nebraska’s death penalty.

But Judge James Kube denied the motion, saying that the state’s high court had already rejected the arguments he raised.

SEE ALSO: Man charged in killings at Nebraska bowling alley will undergo competency evaluation

Reed’s next hearing is scheduled for April 29.

Sweazy has pleaded not guilty to evidence tampering and accessory to a felony.

She is set to go on trial on March 17.

SEE ALSO: No bond for man accused in killings at rural Nebraska bowling alley